Ecuador bound!

That's right friends! I am (hopefully) headed to Ecuador for most of the summer. This opportunity was offered to me recently and it was something I couldn't refuse - and I don't think God wants me to refuse it either.

I will be the head female leader(with 3 other leaders) of a group of teens from all over North America. Here's a little about what we'll be doing...

After two weeks of training you will be ready for the cold nights in the Andes Mountains. You bus to the Orlando International Airport and fly to Miami. From Miami you continue across the Straits of Florida, Cuba, the Caribbean Sea, Panama and the Equator before arriving in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. From the airport you bus on the Pan American Highway past snow-covered mountains to Latacunga where Teen Missions in Ecuador Bible, Missionary & Work Training Center is located. After buying supplies and getting a bit of rest you will be ready to go to your first of two project sites with the Quichua Indians. The first project at Mount Qilatoa, a remote church located at 10,000' elevation, will be to construct a kitchen building and outhouses. You will also be a blessing as you build benches for the people who are now sitting on the cold concrete floor for Sunday services. On the weekends you will be showing the JESUS Film in the Quichua language and sharing the Gospel through music, puppets, drama and testimonies with those throughout the village. You will have an opportunity to walk down to the lake inside the crater of this historic volcano. The second project site will be near the Chimbarazo Volcano about one and a half hours outside Riobamba further up in the mountains. Your project will be to help one of the poorest Quichua Indian churches by improving their church building. Time permitting you may visit some hot springs in the area. Before heading back to the airport you will visit Mitad del Mundo, to see the Equator and to stand in both hemispheres.*how cool will that be?!* Practice bartering at the open-air markets for souvenirs such as alpaca rugs, wool sweaters and blankets, leather goods, jewelry and dolls. Housing will be in tents; bathing and laundry are done using a bucket. Bring a sweater and a warm sleeping bag because it is the coldest time of year during these months. You will return to Florida for Debrief.

I am VERY excited about this. As I think about all the things that have to be done before I leave(like renewing my passport!), it seems like there isn't enough time(I leave for training on June 6th). But there is time...I just have to be diligent in my packing!!! HAHAHA!!

Here's a little more about what my summer will be like:
- I will be wearing workboots all summer(even with my Sunday clothes)
- I can take no more than 32 pounds with me in a box(I get a duffle bag when I arrive)
- 32 pounds includes my clothes, sleeping bag, bucket, and anything other 'necessities' that I will need for the summer
- I will be doing my laundry in my bucket!
- more than likely I'll be bathing with my bucket!!!!

I've done all this before, I can do it again.

I ask for your prayers for me, the other leaders and all the teams members.
When I know more, you'll know more. I promise! =)

Blessings.